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Anti-Social Behaviour

What is Anti-Social Behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’ (Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 ).

There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:

  • Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
  • Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
  • Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.

For some people, anti-social behaviour (ASB) is about graffiti, litter or abandoned cars. Other people may experience more personal ASB such as nuisance or noisy neighbours, rowdy gangs in the street, verbal abuse or being a victim of crime.

Anti-social behaviour is defined in law as “behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person”. However, in some cases, activities may be classed as ASB if they cause nuisance and annoyance only.

Types of Anti-Social Behaviour

The following activities are things we will generally treat as anti-social behaviour if they cause harassment, alarm, distress or significant nuisance and annoyance:

  • Noise
  • Non-threatening verbal abuse
  • Alcohol/drug-related incidents
  • Misuse of shared areas and public space
  • Pets and animal nuisance
  • Nuisance from vehicles
  • Litter and rubbish

We will always treat incidents of hate crime, harassment, physical violence and threats of violence as anti-social behaviour.

What is NOT Anti-Social Behaviour?

These are some examples of behaviour we generally don’t consider to be ASB: The sound of children playing or a baby crying. Everyday living noises, such as toilet flushing, closing doors, vacuuming. Minor personal disputes and differences.

Behaviour that annoys one person may not annoy someone else. In each individual case, we will consider whether certain incidents are ASB.

These are some examples of behaviour we generally don’t consider to be ASB:

  • The sound of children playing or a baby crying
  • Everyday living noises, such as toilet flushing, closing doors, vacuuming
  • Minor personal disputes and differences
  • Young people gathering socially unless they are being intimidating
  • Being unable to park outside your home (where there are no lawful restrictions in place)
  • DIY and car repairs unless they are taking place at unsocial hours (for example late at night or in the early hours)
  • Civil disputes between neighbours (e.g. shared driveways)

Where can I get help?

Nuisance neighbours

If you have a problem with your neighbour, you should attempt to discuss the matter with them before approaching us or the police unless you think that it is unsafe to do so.

If the problem has been going on for some time, it would be helpful if you could make a note of the issues. Where appropriate, this might include times, dates, descriptions, vehicle registrations, etc.

If you feel you or your family are in immediate danger due to anti-social behaviour, you should call the police on 999.

If you have any other concerns in relation to anti-social behaviour, but are not in any immediate danger, please visit the West Midlands Police website where you can find helpful advice or use their Live Chat facility. Always make a note of any reference numbers you receive as this may help us if we have to speak to the police later on.

Reporting anti-social behaviour

Some types of anti-social behaviour should be reported to the council, not the police.

You can use this online form on Sandwell Council’s website to report the problem.

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